Two Pairs of Fronts?

[awesomebase]

Can anybody suggest the best way to drive two pairs of speakers for the fronts? I know that some use two separate receivers, but I'm concerned about timing issues with regard to the signal coming from a DVD player (i.e. the spdif and coaxial digital outputs). If I "split" the signal (effectively connectiong two speakers to each front L and R connection), won't I loose considerable power? I'm looking at the possibility of trying to drive more than one "built-in" speaker for the fronts (since most "built-in" speakers are not nearly as powerful as I would like). Any suggestions?

 

[jcPanny]

Front speakers

Most receivers are not capable of driving two 8 ohm speakers in parallel (4 ohm load). If you connected them in series (16 ohms) the receiver would deliver less current so you would get the same SPL level from two speakers as you would with one.

The only configuration where I would recommend extra front speakers is when running a Yamaha receiver with 5.1 and "presence" speakers which are used to widden the front sound stage.

Not sure what you mean by "built in", but your best bet for a large room is a high end pair of in-walls, on-walls, or floorstanders that have multiple drivers. RBH Sound, for example, makes some high end in-walls that will play at refrence levels in large rooms with the right amp power.

Post your room dimensions and budget and you will get more suggestions.

 

[Tex-amp]

You're likely going to run into cancellation and combing issues in addition to the problems already listed. I'd put the money into one pair of better speakers rather than 2 pairs.

 

[j_garcia]

There won't be any timing issues, but I agree with what Tex-amp said, it's not a good plan.

 

[awesomebase]

Alternative

OK, well I think the general concensous is that this is a bad idea! I guess my alternative would be to see about wall mounting some good floor standing speakers. My gripe about doing that is that I just don't want to do any "drilling" or intrusion into the cabinets. There may be other alternatives, but few drive brackets can sustain weight great than 40 lbs.

 

[corey]

Wall mounting floor standing speakers?

Do the woofers have to be on the wall? How about bookshelves, either acoustic suspension or front ported, on the wall; and a sub-woofer or 2 on the floor?

 

[AVRat]

I'll 2nd some of what jcPanny said:

Not sure what you mean by "built in", but your best bet for a large room is a high end pair of in-walls, on-walls, or floorstanders that have multiple drivers. RBH Sound, for example, makes some high end in-walls that will play at refrence levels in large rooms with the right amp power.

Post your room dimensions and budget and you will get more suggestions.

And add that you don't need full range speakers. Good bookshelf/monitors properly set up with 1 or 2 subs sound exellent.

 

[awesomebase]

Unavoidable

It looks like I can't avoid taking up floor space either by using floor standing speakers or subs or both. I think I'll opt for good bookshelves with the subs, that would be better in terms of my space/placement.
And yes, there are those that actually wall mount floor standing speakers, I just can't find any hardware to support it so I have to assume that they do it themselves or have something custom-made.

 

[Tex-amp]

Have you looked at on-wall speakers such NHT L5, Paradigm OW-Monitors, Axiom(?), and others makes?

 

[W_Harding]

speaker mounting hardware

It looks like I can't avoid taking up floor space either by using floor standing speakers or subs or both. I think I'll opt for good bookshelves with the subs, that would be better in terms of my space/placement.
And yes, there are those that actually wall mount floor standing speakers, I just can't find any hardware to support it so I have to assume that they do it themselves or have something custom-made.

The term bookshelf speaker derives from the fact that people put smaller (non-floor standing) speakers on bookshelves. Bookshelves are one way to provide "hardware to support" larger speakers.

 

[mulester7]

.....just a thought from experimenting I have done just lately....I wouldn't parallel or series front mains....doing so brings a change in the presence or let's say, sonic signature....some of the light and airy presence was lost paralleling....didn't try series, but I suspect the same change would occur in a different direction....that's what I found with my speakers anyway....but, by all means try it, and it could work fine for you......